Tiger Woods started hitting golf balls when he could barely walk; the toddler went on to play alongside legend Bob Hope. Growing up with golf clearly helps but everybody wants to know how to hit golf balls like Tiger.
Tiger's Coach
Tiger's coach, Butch Harmon, worked with Woods when he was just 17 and he was taking part in the US Amateur Championships. Harmon watched Woods hit some golf balls after being introduced by Earl Woods.
The first ball I ever saw Tiger hit, boy he was impressive. Harmon has said. He wasn't even wearing golf shoes, he was just wearing a pair of tennis shoes. He was very long for his age - not always as straight as he is now, but very long!
Superior control of golf balls
Now, Woods is a lot straighter and has superior control over his golf balls. One thing Harmon said he taught Woods was to be less aggressive when he hit the golf balls, but he said his game, even at 17, has always been phenomenal.
As his coach Harmon has said that one of the great things about Woods is his openness to learn. Watching how the legends of the green hit their golf balls and his desire to constantly get better at the game all helped refine his natural talent. Amazing to see tiger woods, his personality is awesome and you can see him always positive.
Mental strength
Hard work, dedication and commitment of course have also played a huge part in developing his skill hitting golf balls, as well as his intimidating mental strength on the course.
Be Tiger Woods!
Now, there is one way you can hit your golf balls just like Tiger Woods well almost! Woods has a videogame franchise and one of this year's hot Christmas presents is the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series from EA. Even if you can't hit your golf balls with the same precision and distance, you can for a short while pretend to be the world's number one in virtual reality.
Greater control over golf balls
Advances in the game are the fact that players now not only have control on how hard they hit the golf balls, but they now have greater control on the angle the golf clubs hit the golf balls, as well as where that club is going to come into contact with the golf ball. All of the flops, slices and hooks from your real game can be reproduced in the virtual game. This helps capture the essence of golf especially Tiger Woods's game. As one reviewer said of the game: Incredible athletic ability, focus, concentration and confidence all coming together so that a golf club can hit a golf ball in the appropriate way isn't easy in real life and now it looks like it won't be easy in Tiger Woods PGA Tour '06.
Golf Like Tiger Woods
Imagine if you could sit with Tiger for a few minutes and pick his brain to help improve your game. Here are some great golf tips from Tiger Woods.
It's All About Rhythm
Every player has their own natural rhythm. Some players are energetic and full of motion; others are stoic and deep in concentration.
Tiger says that when he's playing his best, everything he does is just second nature. He just goes with the flow, and there's little else involved. That's because he's found just the right groove that suits his natural rhythm.
If the rhythm's off, Tiger misses a swing or two. When things are flowing for him, he has to work a little to get it back into a natural rhythm.
So, how do you learn to keep your natural rhythm? There are a few ways Tiger suggests to help you find your groove and keep it.
Stick To Your Routine
Rhythm and consistency are important, so how you get ready both physically and mentally for the game is essential. Tiger has a practice routine that he does before every single game. He uses the same clubs, and the last club he uses for his pre-game warm-up is the one he plans to use for the first hole.
The point isn't to practice swinging, but to get into your groove.
The First Hole Is The Most Important
Long before he swings for that first hole, Tiger plans the whole game ahead. He prepares himself for the game mentally and emotionally. This involves relaxation, and deciding his game plan beforehand.
An awkward, uncertain first shot is a sure-fire rhythm-killer.
Keep Things Steady
To keep your rhythm going, you have to keep the tempo steady. When you get stressed, you start to speed things up. All that nervous energy makes you hurry to the next hole, and you end up making silly mistakes you wouldn't have made otherwise.
The next time you watch Tiger play, pay attention to the way he walks to the next hole. Even after a great shot, you'll never see him rush on to the next one. He'll pump his fist, smile, and stroll to the next hole with the same leisurely pace.
Tiger recommends a good pre-routine warm-up that helps you get into a relaxed frame of mind. This will get you started on the right foot. For more info see http://www.getgoodatgolf.com/ on golf course.
Posture Means Perfect
When asked for practical golf tips, Tiger Woods always mentions posture. Tiger always stands straight and tall, a decent distance from the ball so that he can keep his chin up. Lots of golfers (including Tiger when he was a beginner) put their address position too close to the ball, and end up having to bow their head down too much. Tiger says to keep a good distance away so you don't have to lean over the ball.
Tiger Woods is not only one of the best players, he's also one of the most reflective. Perhaps the key to his success is his ability to look at his mistakes and shortcomings, and work to improve them, instead of getting frustrated. This is why his golf tips are so helpful to his fans. When you blow it, think about why you did it. Then, correct it next time, and you'll see improvement.
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